The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) celebrated the graduation of the latest cohort of the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program on Oct. 9, recognizing 28 graduates who completed intensive welding training for careers in the defense manufacturing sector.
After completing the four-month program, these graduates are prepared for immediate employment within the submarine and defense industrial base. They completed a rigorous, accelerated training experience designed to build technical skills, discipline and the attention to detail required in high-stakes manufacturing environments that support national defense.
Students in this cohort came from 10 states. ATDM graduates have come from nearly every state and are supporting critical defense manufacturing needs with employers across the country. The program has now trained more than 1,600 graduates for careers supporting the nation’s defense manufacturing workforce.
“The ATDM program reduces and eliminates barriers to people’s success. As we take care of transportation and housing and training, all provided by scholarship, we believe that we are changing America’s future.” – Telly Tucker, President, IALR
Supporting National Defense Through Workforce Development
The United States faces an urgent workforce challenge: tens of thousands of skilled trades professionals are needed in the coming years to meet production goals for submarines and other naval vessels. Traditional training pipelines cannot scale quickly enough to meet this demand.
ATDM was created to address that need by compressing years of training into a focused, 16-week program that prepares adult learners for immediate employment.
Students train on one of three shifts in one of five high-demand training tracks: welding, CNC machining, non-destructive testing (NDT), additive manufacturing and quality control. Graduates gain the technical expertise required to perform precision work essential to national defense.
To reduce barriers to entry, the program covers tuition and housing, enabling participants from across the country to pursue new career opportunities in Danville.
An ATDM Student Success Story
Student speaker Alexis Holloway of Raleigh, North Carolina, reflected on balancing life as a single mother, small business owner and ATDM student while pursuing a new career in welding.
“I came to ATDM looking for an opportunity,” Holloway said. “I’m leaving with a skill, a career, a community and a new vision for my future. But most importantly, I’m leaving knowing that I kept a promise to myself and my son.”
David Hebert, Vice President of Business Development for The Entwistle Company and a retired U.S. Navy commander, congratulated the graduates and highlighted the critical role skilled welders play in strengthening America’s manufacturing and defense industrial base.
“A nation can’t build ships with spreadsheets. It cannot fabricate submarines with PowerPoint presentations. It can’t maintain critical infrastructure through video teleconferences. At some point, somebody has to actually build something,” Herbert said.
ATDM Graduates
Welding – 1st Shift
- Alexander Barbour – MD
- Dalton Carbino – FL
- Aidan Cheek – VA
- Kate Freeze – NC
- Caden Glass – VA
- Khristian Jackson – VA
- McCrae Kirsch – VA
- Jasmin Moncivais – MD
- Isaiah Skipper – MD
- Cheyenne Smith – OH
- Preston Stells – VA
- Lazer Wray – VA
Welding – 2nd Shift
- Ethan Bradford – VA
- Lucas Champion – VA
- Arthur Joseph Jr. – NC
- Jacob McAlister – VA
- Micah Mowry – MD
- Nobert Oroma – CA
- Brandon Smith – VA
- Maddex Suarez – MD
- Spencer Waiters – TX
Welding – 3rd Shift
- Ethan Bonetti – GA
- Austin Dorrill – OK
- Serge Duquette – CT
- Jeremy Hansen – NC
- Alexis Holloway – NC
- Aubrey Kahler – VA
ATDM continues to play a critical role in strengthening the submarine industrial base by rapidly training skilled workers and connecting them with employers across the country.
The program maintains strong outcomes, with approximately 80% of graduates employed within 60 days of completion. Through direct employer engagement, career fairs and industry-informed curriculum, ATDM ensures graduates are prepared to contribute immediately in mission-critical roles.
ATDM is currently accepting applications from motivated individuals ready to launch a career in advanced manufacturing and support the nation’s defense.
About ATDM
The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing program provides focused, industry-driven training to equip participants with skills critical for defense manufacturing. This initiative is funded through the National Imperative for Industrial Skills by the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program Office within the Office of the Undersecretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment.
About the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with applied research, advanced learning, manufacturing advancement, conference center services and economic development efforts. IALR’s major footprint focuses within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg along with the cities of Martinsville and Danville. The organization houses and leads the ATDM program with the support of various partners.
